Featured Memorial | William Lipscomb Jr.

William Nunn Lipscomb Jr. Obituary

BOSTON (AP) - A Harvard University professor who won the Nobel chemistry prize in 1976 for work on chemical bonding has died. William Nunn Lipscomb Jr. was 91.

His son, James Lipscomb, said Friday that Lipscomb died Thursday night at a Cambridge, Mass., hospital of pneumonia and complications from a fall.

Several of his students also have won Nobels. Yale University professor Thomas Steitz, who shared the 2009 chemistry prize, says Lipscomb was an inspiring teacher who encouraged creative thinking.

The Ohio native grew up in Lexington, Ky., and students affectionately referred to him as "Colonel" in reference to his upbringing. He graduated from the University of Kentucky and got a doctorate at the California Institute of Technology under Nobel laureate Linus Pauling.

BOSTON (AP) - A Harvard University professor who won the Nobel chemistry prize in 1976 for work on chemical bonding has died. William Nunn Lipscomb Jr. was 91.

His son, James Lipscomb, said Friday that Lipscomb died Thursday night at a Cambridge, Mass., hospital of pneumonia and complications from a fall.

Several of his students also have won Nobels. Yale University professor Thomas Steitz, who shared the 2009 chemistry prize, says Lipscomb was an inspiring teacher who encouraged creative thinking.

The Ohio native grew up in Lexington, Ky., and students affectionately referred to him as "Colonel" in reference to his upbringing. He graduated from the University of Kentucky and got a doctorate at the California Institute of Technology under Nobel laureate Linus Pauling.

Guest Book Highlights

" TO THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM N. LIPSCOMB. My deepest condolence go out to you.He is going to be missed very much he was such a wonderful man many memories I will hold dear to my heart."- LAVONE YOUNG (REVERE, MA)

"To the family and friends of Mr. Lipscomb Jr........ We can draw comfort and hope form our creator he gives comfort to those who greive,My deepest condolence"

"My condolences to the family of such a great talented man. He has given much to our world that so many great minds can build upon. God bless him and his family."- Jeanne Kettner (Wauwatosa, WI)

"What a gem of a man. I did not know Mr Lipscomb, but in reading his life's recap, I wish I'd have had him as an instructor in college. What a remarkable thing to have inspired OTHER nobel winners. That was no coincidence. Thank you for sharing..."- Fran Smith (Yuma, AZ)